Official 2008-2009 MLB Offseason Thread

[Mr. Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Wow. Living in the Denver area but a Sox fan and I got to say if I was a Rockies fan I would be fucking pissed for what they got. If it is true they got Street, Smith, and Gonzalez for Holiday they got screwed. The talk fpor a while here is the owners here are only interested in making money. Now I know everyone once to get paid but at least many owners at least try to win. That is not the case from everything I have seen, It is really sad because Rocky fans are very good fans and the fact they support this team year after year points to that. But, also the owners know the fans here are a little naive and no matter what fans will come out to the games with there kids since people here are really worried that the Rockies will just pick up and move. My advice to fans is grow a pair and boycott the Rockies until these owners start to build a better product.

I actually think they did pretty well, all things considered. Holliday's home/road splits are pretty dramatic, plus is agent is Boras, so he was a goner either way. They got a solid enough bullpen arm to replace Fuentes, a young pitcher in Greg Smith that they can control for the next 5-6 years, and an outfielder in Gonzalez that has the chance to be a damn fine player and is only 23. I'm surprised the A's actually made the deal for him. It's so un-A's like.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

I actually think they did pretty well, all things considered. Holliday's home/road splits are pretty dramatic, plus is agent is Boras, so he was a goner either way. They got a solid enough bullpen arm to replace Fuentes, a young pitcher in Greg Smith that they can control for the next 5-6 years, and an outfielder in Gonzalez that has the chance to be a damn fine player and is only 23. I'm surprised the A's actually made the deal for him. It's so un-A's like.

I have to disagree that its un-A's like. This is the exact type of deal Beane was making when the A's were contenders earlier this decade. The A's payroll is expected to increase to $80 million next season and they're going to make a run at signing Furcal. This puts them in excellent shape and if things go wrong Beane can shop Holliday at the deadline or let him walk and take the 2 draft picks.

Greg Smith is a soft tosser that is probably going to get killed Colorado. Scouts have been down on Gonzalez for a couple years because of his work ethic. He simply hasn't improved the past couple years and was overmatched last year when he was called up. Street is the guy with serious value and he's an upgrade over Fuentes, but he's still a closer.

Holliday's splits last season:

Home: .332/.413/.584
Away: .308/.405/.486

There is a split, but just about every team in the league would line up to make the deal the A's made for a 29 year old OFer with that line away from Colorado.

The Rockies should have done better.

[Mr. Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Atocep

I have to disagree that its un-A's like. This is the exact type of deal Beane was making when the A's were contenders earlier this decade. The A's payroll is expected to increase to $80 million next season and they're going to make a run at signing Furcal. This puts them in excellent shape and if things go wrong Beane can shop Holliday at the deadline or let him walk and take the 2 draft picks.

Greg Smith is a soft tosser that is probably going to get killed Colorado. Scouts have been down on Gonzalez for a couple years because of his work ethic. He simply hasn't improved the past couple years and was overmatched last year when he was called up. Street is the guy with serious value and he's an upgrade over Fuentes, but he's still a closer.

Holliday's splits last season:

Home: .332/.413/.584
Away: .308/.405/.486

There is a split, but just about every team in the league would line up to make the deal the A's made for a 29 year old OFer with that line away from Colorado.

The Rockies should have done better.

I must confess ignorance to the A's payroll situation, and I guess I was just referencing the A's moves of the past couple years where they were the ones unloading the soon to be free agents for young talent. I definitely think it's a great deal for them because, as you mentioned, they can either snag 2 draft picks or flip him at the deadline if they're out of contention.

I do still like the deal for Colorado, though. I don't really know what more they could have gotten from other teams. I'd much rather have this package than the proposed deal with the Cardinals involving Ludwick, Schumaker and Boggs. I think Gonzalez will still develop into a pretty nice player, as well.

Holliday is a career .280/.348/.455 hitter away from Coors, and while he's better than that, he's not a superstar by any means. I think this is a pretty good deal for both teams. Colorado gets some nice young players in Street and Gonzalez (I agree that Smith will probably get knocked around), and the A's add some much needed pop to their lineup without parting with any of their top prospects.

[DeToxRox]

5:01pm: Scott Miller of CBSSports.com says the Rockies are prepared to turn around and trade Street to another team.

[sterlingice]

*cough*Mets*cough*

SI

[MrBug708]

Scott Olsen was just traded to the Nat's

[Mr. Sparkle]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Scott Olsen was just traded to the Nat's

Now this trade looks like an absolute steal for the Nationals.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, I like that deal for the Nats. MLBTradeRumors had a great summation of this deal: "I have to say, I thought the Marlins would get more for these two players. There's not really a sure thing in the bunch. Did Jim Bowden pull a heist, or was this the true market value of these two players? Olsen's peripheral stats weren't great this year, while Willingham has back problems."

SI

[BishopMVP]

Young pitcher from the Marlins... does he have injury problems?

[samifan24]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Young pitcher from the Marlins... does he have injury problems?

No but he had personal issues in the past but played without incident (I believe) this season. It may have had something to do with his inclusion in the deal, especially for such a low price.

[Logan]

Didn't he mess up his hand beating up a Gatorade cooler?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Makes the West winnable for Oakland. Angels could lose Tex and KRod and their OF isn't getting younger.

I'm a homer, so take it for what this is worth. Plus, the A's are one of those teams that can always get in the mix and be unexpectedly good. You certainly can't count them out.

All that said, the Angels are still the best run organization in the division, with the deepest pockets and the best minor league system. They already have replacements in place for K-Rod and Teix (they might not be as good, but they won't be bad), and they have had too many outfielders for three years now. And losing, what $30-40 M off their payroll with the assumed loss of the above, and other players, like Rivera, Garland, GA, etc. means they have all that money to spend. And everyone knows they'll spend it.

Let's just say the A's are going to have to be damn good to beat that soon. Or make some moves that unexpectedly accelerate the rate at which they are returning to contender status. Certainly a move for Holliday qualifies, but all of those players being moved were at least somewhat significant in the A's return to prominence.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I'm a homer, so take it for what this is worth. Plus, the A's are one of those teams that can always get in the mix and be unexpectedly good. You certainly can't count them out.

All that said, the Angels are still the best run organization in the division, with the deepest pockets and the best minor league system. They already have replacements in place for K-Rod and Teix (they might not be as good, but they won't be bad), and they have had too many outfielders for three years now. And losing, what $30-40 M off their payroll with the assumed loss of the above, and other players, like Rivera, Garland, GA, etc. means they have all that money to spend. And everyone knows they'll spend it.

Let's just say the A's are going to have to be damn good to beat that soon. Or make some moves that unexpectedly accelerate the rate at which they are returning to contender status. Certainly a move for Holliday qualifies, but all of those players being moved were at least somewhat significant in the A's return to prominence.

I still think the Angels win, I am just saying why the move makes sense for the A's for next year. If there is any year to win the West, it's next because the Angels have so many good, young players.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

I still think the Angels win, I am just saying why the move makes sense for the A's for next year. If there is any year to win the West, it's next because the Angels have so many good, young players.

Yeah, I could see that. Catch them before they improve more or sign some big star (since if they fail to get Teix, they probably won't splurge on anyone else), at least not this offseason. I don't buy the CC rumors.

[BishopMVP]

I know I should quit harping on the awards, especially when the two obvious choices were nearly unanimously chosen, but come on. Edinson Volquez 4th in NL RoY balloting? The Edinson Volquez that threw 80 IP over the previous 3 seasons Texas? Some of these writers clearly aren't trying.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

I know I should quit harping on the awards, especially when the two obvious choices were nearly unanimously chosen, but come on. Edinson Volquez 4th in NL RoY balloting? The Edinson Volquez that threw 80 IP over the previous 3 seasons Texas? Some of these writers clearly aren't trying.

LOL-

I swear, I've probably known the criteria for awards voting since I was 12 or something. That's rediculous that people that get paid to report on the game would be that f'n clueless.

[RedKingGold]

Phillies quickly re-sign lefty specialist Scott Eyre to a 1-year, 2 million + performance bonuses deal. This leaves Jaime Moyer as likely the only key free agent the Phillies need to re-sign.

Also, bench coach Jimy Williams surprisingly resigned yesterday. I get the feeling he might emerge as a manager prospect sometime soon. I think that first-base coach Davey Lopes is the expected replacement, but I would not rule out an external candidate.

[Fighter of Foo]

I'm an admitted baseball dork and play in both an AL and NL only fantasy league, but I can safely say I have zero interest in the search for the Phillies bench coach.

As far as Holliday, it's a good trade for Oakland because Carlos Gonzalez was terrible in the 3 months he was up. He could very well be another Carlos Pena who also had very good minor league numbers before sucking for 5 years and resurfacing as if nothing had happened. Oakland has/had like 10 outfielders and needs to make a few more deals like this to consolidate and get a proper lineup on the field everyday.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

Phillies quickly re-sign lefty specialist Scott Eyre to a 1-year, 2 million + performance bonuses deal. This leaves Jaime Moyer as likely the only key free agent the Phillies need to re-sign.

Also, bench coach Jimy Williams surprisingly resigned yesterday. I get the feeling he might emerge as a manager prospect sometime soon. I think that first-base coach Davey Lopes is the expected replacement, but I would not rule out an external candidate.

Burrell's already dead to ya?

I mean, i don't think they need to resign him either, but they do need to bring in someone to offset the loss of his production.

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by stevew

Burrell's already dead to ya?

I mean, i don't think they need to resign him either, but they do need to bring in someone to offset the loss of his production.

Well, my thinking on Burrell is that the Phillies are ready to replace him and he will only come back if extremely cheap (somewhere in the ball park of 3-years, 12 million). That might be unrealistic, but I really don't see that much demand for his services elsewhere in the National League because of his poor fielding and the fact that he is older and falls into that mid-level range of free agents likely to be screwed by the economy. So, it is possible that Burrell will come back.

However, I'd be just as happy with signing a cheap power-type guy to platoon with Dobbs and Jenkins. I'd love for them to get Adam Dunn (so long as they don't have to break the bank for him) as I think he is really underrated for the numbers he put up in a pitcher's ball park. Dunn could easily hit 40 homeruns playing at CBP.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

*cough*Mets*cough*

SI

god I hope so

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Scott Olsen was just traded to the Nat's

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

Now this trade looks like an absolute steal for the Nationals.

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Yeah, I like that deal for the Nats. MLBTradeRumors had a great summation of this deal: "I have to say, I thought the Marlins would get more for these two players. There's not really a sure thing in the bunch. Did Jim Bowden pull a heist, or was this the true market value of these two players? Olsen's peripheral stats weren't great this year, while Willingham has back problems."

SI

Finally, some good news.

[Mr. Sparkle]

Tim Lincecum wins the Cy Young!

[Fighter of Foo]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

I'd love for them to get Adam Dunn (so long as they don't have to break the bank for him) as I think he is really underrated for the numbers he put up in a pitcher's ball park. Dunn could easily hit 40 homeruns playing at CBP.

You don't say. Dunn's hit exactly 40 HRs the last 4 seasons and hasn't hit fewer than that since 2003.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

Tim Lincecum wins the Cy Young!

If Lincecum is that good I can't wait to see how good Drew fucking Stubbs must be.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

Tim Lincecum wins the Cy Young!

Happy for him. Lincecum seems absolutely amazing. Shame he's pitching for the Giants though .

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by Fighter of Foo

You don't say. Dunn's hit exactly 40 HRs the last 4 seasons and hasn't hit fewer than that since 2003.

Hence why I said he'd "easily" hit 40 homeruns.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Happy for him. Lincecum seems absolutely amazing. Shame he's pitching for the Giants though .

How soon til he's traded for Rios?

[Mr. Sparkle]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

How soon til he's traded for Rios?

Probably right after Kemp is traded for Cano.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

Probably right after Kemp is traded for Cano.

???

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

ESPN - Sources: New York Yankees acquire Nick Swisher from Chicago White Sox

Yankees acquire Nick Swisher.

I really wonder why anyone is still willing to trade with Beane.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Atocep

I really wonder why anyone is still willing to trade with Beane.

Beane is fascinating. He knows when to sell. I still find it odd that so many guys in their prime leave Oakland and cease to be their functional selves.

Zito, Mulder, Hudson (Though he rebounded some), Giambi, Tejada, Swisher, etc.

It is amazing.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

How soon til he's traded for Rios?

Boo. I so wanted this to happen.

[stevew]

Cliff Lee wins the Cy Young.

[stevew]

Player 1st 2nd 3rd Total 
Lee, Indians 24 4 -- 132 
Roy Halladay,
Blue Jays 4 15 6 71 
Francisco Rodriguez, Angels -- 7 11 32 
Others receiving votes: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox, 10; Mariano Rivera, Yankees, 3; Mike Mussina, Yankees, 2; Ervin Santana, Angels, 2.  

[johnnyshaka]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Beane is fascinating. He knows when to sell. I still find it odd that so many guys in their prime leave Oakland and cease to be their functional selves.

Zito, Mulder, Hudson (Though he rebounded some), Giambi, Tejada, Swisher, etc.

It is amazing.

I don't think I'd add Tejada to that list as he's still one of the better SS in the league.

At the same time, you get guys like Haren, Pena, Damon, Dye, Ludwick (although, last season could be a fluke), Ethier, and even Milt Bradley either continue to excel or who develop and exceed expectations.

Ya win some...you lose some.

As an A's fan, it's frustrating to watch players leave regularly but at the same time it's fun to watch the young kids develop.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by stevew

Cliff Lee wins the Cy Young.

What a shock!

[JonInMiddleGA]

The Braves have ended negotiations with the San Diego Padres to obtain pitching ace Jake Peavy, according to Braves general manager Frank Wren.

Wren told the AJC he has informed Padres GM Kevin Towers of the decision. Wren said the team will continue to pursue starting pitching, it’s main offseason goal and could not wait on the Padres.

Starting today, Major league baseball teams can make offers to free agents previously with other teams.

[Scarecrow]

Royals with the signing of the day...

"Mike Arbuckle, the man responsible for drafting Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels and other players who helped form the nucleus of the Philadelphia Phillies' 2008 world championship club, has taken a job with the Kansas City Royals as a senior adviser to general manager Dayton Moore.

The announcement will be made official at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Arbuckle, 58, recently left the Phillies when the team promoted Ruben Amaro Jr. to replace Pat Gillick as general manager. Arbuckle, an assistant GM who spent 15 years with the franchise and led its scouting efforts, and Amaro had been the only candidates considered for the job.

In his new role with Kansas City, Arbuckle said he will serve as a "right-hand man" to Moore and J.J. Picollo, the Royals' assistant GM for scouting and player development. Arbuckle will have input at both the professional and amateur levels.

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge," Arbuckle said Friday. "There are some very good baseball people in this organization. I couldn't have landed in a better situation.''

Arbuckle makes his home in Liberty, Mo.

"I've been spending 275, 280 nights a year on the road," he said. "It will be nice to be able to sleep in my own bed.""

[lungs]

Arbuckle will be the new KC GM sooner rather than later, I reckon.

[sterlingice]

I am thrilled with the Arbuckle move. I didn't think KC had a chance at landing him even after the fallout from the Phils. Get that man out on the road with talent scouting and development, stat!

SI

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

The Braves have ended negotiations with the San Diego Padres to obtain pitching ace Jake Peavy, according to Braves general manager Frank Wren.

Wren told the AJC he has informed Padres GM Kevin Towers of the decision. Wren said the team will continue to pursue starting pitching, it’s main offseason goal and could not wait on the Padres.

Starting today, Major league baseball teams can make offers to free agents previously with other teams.

I guess they are right in wanting to keep as many youngsters as they can for the long haul. The thing that has me going "huh?" is they are still wanting to resign Hampton. Unless he is going to stay at a huge discount to repay some of the millions he lost the team over the last few years, I can't believe they'd even consider it.

[RedKingGold]

Yup, sad to see Arbuckle go. But it was predictable once Amaro was promoted.

Fortunately, there wasn't a mass exodous out of the Philly scouting staff, and the guys who scouted for Utley, Hamels, and Howard are still in the organization.

Viva Chuck LaMar (sigh)

[SirFozzie]

Wait.. listen closely..

*kathump* *kathump*

Hey! I know what that sound is! It's the Red Sox (probably Larry Luccino) giving Manny one last F-U, and throwing him under the bus with a leak to ESPN stating that they had formally suspended Manny when he took a couple days off because of "knee pain", and once Manny got the letter of suspension (sent to MLB/MLBPA/Boras) he immediately called the team and promised to play the next day.

ESPN - Boston Red Sox were ready to suspend Manny Ramirez

[molson]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Wait.. listen closely..

*kathump* *kathump*

Hey! I know what that sound is! It's the Red Sox (probably Larry Luccino) giving Manny one last F-U, and throwing him under the bus with a leak to ESPN stating that they had formally suspended Manny when he took a couple days off because of "knee pain", and once Manny got the letter of suspension (sent to MLB/MLBPA/Boras) he immediately called the team and promised to play the next day.

ESPN - Boston Red Sox were ready to suspend Manny Ramirez

The guy flat-out refused to play two straight games in July against the Yankees. (and countless other games over the years). I mean, who does that in professional sports? And he shoved a 64-year-old traveling secretary to the ground because he couldn't get all the tickets he wanted. What a joke. An absolute sleazeball who gets a pass because he's basically borderline-retarded.

Any team that signs this clown deserves what they get.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by molson

The guy flat-out refused to play two straight games in July against the Yankees. (and countless other games over the years). I mean, who does that in professional sports? And he shoved a 64-year-old traveling secretary to the ground because he couldn't get all the tickets he wanted. What a joke. An absolute sleazeball who gets a pass because he's basically borderline-retarded.

Any team that signs this clown deserves what they get.

once he gets his big contract he will go back to being that way. he had a typical "contract year" once he went to the Dodgers. whats disgusting is how the media have slurped his overrated ass. they are actually dumb enough to think he will be worth the contract. lazy and getting old, yea he will be worth it
i hope the Yanks sign him to continue to rebuild thru the retirement home route

[MrBug708]

You guys have a hard time letting go

[ISiddiqui]

Indeed... but I guess they have to keep justifying trading a sure fire 1st ballot HOFer away .

[MrBug708]

Sources within the baseball industry believe CC Sabathia may be getting pressure from the Players Association to accept the record six-year, $140 million offer from the Yankees.

Presumably, having Sabathia ink that deal would result in monster contracts for other free agent pitchers. Even Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he thought the union could be putting the heat on CC, replying, "Yeah, probably," when probed about the possibility. Sabathia, a native of California, is believed to prefer his home state and the National League.

[ISiddiqui]

I hate the fucking union.